The early reading program is now serving over 120 children each day in seven locations near Rubio, Venezuela.  At the small village of Santa Rita, a new location for us, over 30 children take advantage of the program.  It is so successful that the university would like to extend it to a year round program.

Our third Help and Hope Center will be located in Chinácota, Colombia.  Pastor Gregorio Anaya will host the Center in his church.  Pastor Gregorio is a vibrant and energetic man who is perfect to kick off our new strategy to place Centers in community churches.  An added benefit is that he will be able to provide weekly pastoral oversight to our Cúcuta, Colombia location.

Chinácota is located on the northeast side of Colombia near the Venezuelan border.  The latest census shows a population of about 15,000 with 36 percent being children under 14 years old.  Social problems include children under twelve years old with drug addiction, children not cared for in the home and child abandonment.  So, we can see that Pastor Gregorio will have his hands full.  Please pray that we can make a big impact on the children and families in this community.